A female staff member at a GPS school has been suspended following allegations of inappropriate relations with a number of students.
Police confirmed that detectives from the New England local area command were investigating a staff member at a school in Armidale in northern NSW.
Police have received a report about the woman's alleged behaviour and it is understood the investigation is in its very early stages.
The Armidale School, which is part of the Greater Public Schools (GPS) association, became aware of the allegations on September 4 but did not inform parents until term started in October, just days before the school's year 12 students sat their first HSC exams.
The school was an all-boys school until the start of term four, when it broke with GPS tradition to allow girls to enrol for the first time in the association's history. It charges students up to $27,000 in tuition a year.
Headmaster Murray Guest is understood to have been away from the school when the allegations where raised. More than a month afterwards, speculation within the school prompted Mr Guest to write to parents earlier this month.
"I'm writing in response to speculation in our community about a current situation we are working to resolve," he wrote in a letter seen by Fairfax Media.
"We immediately informed the relevant authorities, and suspended the staff member concerned while the matter can be fully investigated."
All parties with a direct interest in the allegations had been notified.
"While we value open lines of communication between parents, students and [The Armidale School], in this instance confidentiality is important and we value your support."
A spokesman for the school would not comment on the specific nature of the allegations and said that the delay in notifying parents was on the advice of authorities.
"Local area command (requested the school) not to disclose any details as all we have are allegations at this stage."
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
